Locking slide



C. HOLL LOCKING SLIDE Oct. 2l, 1958 F I G. 4

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35 F l G. 6 34 /3/ FIGB INKENTOR. cHARLE'HoLL ATTORNEY nited States Patent u ik LOCKING SLIDE Charles Holl, New York, N. Y. Application October 20, 1955, Serial No. 541,754 9 Claims. (Cl. 24-116) This invention relates to jewelry, and, more particularly, to a novel locking slide for a chain such as a chain bracelet or anklet or necklace.

Such chain bracelets and the like are desirably m'ade adjustable in length for proper fitting, and various complicated arrangements are used to lock the chain at the desired length or size.

In accordance with the present invention, a simple locking slide is provided for such adjustment. The slide comprises a rectangular cross section tubular element arranged to have both ends of the chain passed therethrough in juxtaposition so that the slide may be moved along the chain or one or both ends of the latter pulled through the slide.

The top wall of the a pair of generally llat latches each spring biased to the aslot in the top w'all to interlock with one or a pair of adjacent chain links. By pressing the opposite ends of the latches inwardly, the chain ends are released for drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. l is a plan view of a slide embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views taken on the correspondingly numbered lines of Fig. 2; y

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the slide body with the latches disassembled therefrom;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a latch;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional view, corresponding to Fig. 2, and showing the latch engaged within a link; and

Figs. 9 and l0 are plan views illustrating the slide latched on a chain, these figures showing alternative nesting positions of the chain.

Referring to the drawings, the slide 20 is illustrated as arranged for mounting on a chain or link bracelet comprising pivotally interconnected cylindrical links 16. Links 16 are interconnected, by any suitable means not illustrated because it forms no part of the invention, with their axes substantially parallel. The links are open at each end and may be formed of precious metal or plated.

Chain 15 may be a bracelet, an ankle chain, a necklace, or any other type of flexible Circlet. In use, the chain is arranged to encircle the wrist, for example, with the two ends drawn through slide 20. As will be described, slide 20 is then adjusted -along the chain 15 to tighten the loop or bight of the latter to the desired degree.

Slide 20y has the general shape of a rectangular cross section tube, including a relatively wide top wall 21, relatively narrow side walls 22, and a relatively wide bottom wall 23. For a part of their lengths, side walls 22,

view taken on the Patented Oct. 21, 1958 2 above top wall 21, form parallel flanges the forward ends of flanges 24, top wall with three coaxial 24. Adjacent 21is formed and axially spaced hinge lugs 25, the

Adjacent each end of the central lug 25, wall 21 has a pair of spring end recesses 27 each opening into a groove 26. Near the rear end of wall 21 are a pair of parallel slots 28 each substantially half way between a flange 24 and the longitudinal center line of wall 21.

The ends of side walls 22 have abutments 29 on their each serving to seat a leaf spring 30. Springs 30 serve to press the links 16 of the two ends of the chain toward each other and guide slide 20 along the chain.

Lugs 25 `form part of the same order as that of slide comprises a substantially at rear section 31 and a stepped forward section 32, the two sections formmg a shallow V.

36 coaxial therewith. The lugs 34 fit between adjacent lugs 25. The outer lug 34 has a spring recess 37 adjacent its inner side and projecting forwardly therefrom.

Element 40 is substantially rectangular with its lower edge having an arcuate 'recess 41 providing legs 42.

Latches 35 are mounted on slide 20 by rneans of a pin 38 extended through hinge lugs 25 and 34. Coil thelugs 34 of each the ends of each spring lying in grooves or recesses bias the forward ends elements 40 through slots Z8. By pressing ends 32 downwardly, elements 40 are raised to clear the inner surface of wall 21.

In using slide 20, latches 35 are pressed in and the ends of chain 15 inserted in and through the slide. Either or both ends of chain 15 are pulled through the desired amount and then latches 35 are released. Elements 40 then engage adjacent links 16, as in Fig. 2, or within a link 16, as in Fig. 8. In either case, slide Ztl is locked on chain 15. The ends of the chain may be drawn through asin Fig. 9 or in the staggered -arrangement of Fig. 10.

from such principles.

What s claimed is:

l. A slide arranged to receive the two ends of a multilink ornamental chain for `adjustment therealong to adjust the size of the bight of the chain, said slide comprising, in combination, a tubular member having internal dimensions such as to receive the two ends of a chain therethrough in substantially parallel juxtaposed relation, said member having a transverse wall formed with a pair of laterally spaced slots therein; a pair of relatively elongated latch elements hingedly mounted intermediate their ends in parallel relation on the outer surface of said wall; each latch element having adjacent one end a latch lug projecting through a slot into the interior of said member to engage a chain link and the opposite end of each latch ment to the latching position; sald elements being m-ovable toa release position by pressing such opposite ends ytoward such transverse wall to withdraw the lugs from the interior of said member; the latch end of each element lying substantially iiat against the outer surface of said wall in the latching position of the element.

2. A slidearranged to receive the two ends of a multilink' ornamental chain for adjustment therealong to adjust the size of the bight of the chain, said slide comprising, in combination, a ,tubular member of substantially rectangular cross section having internal dimensions such as to receive the two ends of a chain therethrough in substantially parallel juxtaposed relation, said member having a transverse wall formed with a pair of laterally spaced slots therein; a pair of relatively elongated latch elements hingedly mounted intermediate their ends in parallel relation on the outer surface of said wall; each latch element having adjacent one end a latch lug projecting through a slot into the interior of said member to eng-age a chain link and the opposite end of each latch element being spaced from such wall when its lug projects through a slot; and means biasing each latch element to the latching position; said elements being movable to a release position by pressing such Iopposite ends toward such transverse wall to withdraw the lugs from the interior of said member; the latch end of each element lying substantially flat against the outer surface of said wall in the latching position of the element.

3. A slide arranged to receive the two ends of a multilink `ornamental chain for adjustment therealong to adjust the size of the bight of the chain, said slide comprising, in combination, a tubular member of substantially rectangular Across-section having a pair of relatively wide substantially parallel transverse walls interconnected by a rpair of relatively narrow substantially parallel side walls, and having internal dimensions such as to receive the twoy ends of a chain therethrough in substantially parallel juxtaposed relation; one of said transverse walls being formed with a pair of laterally spaced slots therein; a pair of relatively elongated latch elements hingedly mounted intermediate their ends in parallel relation on the outer surface of said one wall; each latch element havingadjacent one end a latch lug projecting through a slot into the interior of said member to engage a chain link .and the opposite end of each latch element being spaced slightly from such wall when its lug projects through a slot; the latch end of each element lying substantially flatagainst the outer surface ,of said wall in the latching position of the element; and means biasing each latch element to the latching position; said elements being movable to a release position by pressing such opposite ends toward such one transverse wall to withdraw the lugs from the interior of said member.

4. A slide as claimed in claim 3 in which said latch elements are substantially fiat land bent, at their hinge lines, to a shallow V.

5. A slide as claimed in claim 3 in which said latch elements are substantially flat and bent, at their hinge lines, to a shallow V; and in which said one transverse wall has a cylindrical transverse groove in its outer surface with coaxial and axially spaced integral hinge lugs therein, and each latch element has a cylindrical transverse groove in its outer surface with coaxial and axially spaced integral hinge lugs therein, the latch element hinge lugs tting between those on such one transverse wall', and a pintle extending through all the hinge lugs.

6. A slide as claimed in claim 3 in which said latch elements are substantially flat and bent, at their hinge lines, to a shallow V; and in which said one transverse wall has a cylindrical transverse groove in its outersurface with coaxial and axially spaced integral hinge lugs therein, and each latch element has a cylindrical transverse groove in its outer surface with coaxial and axially spaced integral hinge lugs therein, the latch element hinge lugs fitting between those on such one transverse wall; a pintle extending through all the hinge lugs; and coil springs embracing said pintle at each latch element to bias the latter to the latching position.

7. A slide as claimed in claim 3 in which each side wall has an internal rib at each end; and a pair of leaf springs each inserted between the ribs of a side wall to bias the `two chainends toward each other.

s. A slide as claimed in claim 6 in which said side walls extend Iabove such one transverse wall for part of their length adjacent the slotted end of the latter to form parallel ilanges; said slots are longitudinal and substantially parallel and each centered laterally midway between .a flange and the center line of said slide; Asaid latch elements have a combined width substantially equal to the flange spacing, and their latch ends have a thickness substantially equal to the llange heights; the opposite ends of the latch elements extending laterally beyond the` latch ends to form surface continuations of the anges.

9. A slide as claimed in claim 3 in which each latch lug is a bar having a U-shaped recess in its free edge forming spaced legs.

References Cited in the iiie of this patent UNlTED SCATES PATENTS 136,946 Valentine Mar. 18, 1873 923,523 Higgin June l, 1909 1,303,521 Sylvester May 13, 1919 1,785,104 Wittmayer Dec. 16, 1930 1,801,159 Hunter Apr. 14, 1931 1,816,810 Nittel "July 28, 1931 

